Carmen Riu, CEO of Riu Hotels, voiced sharp criticism about the absence of a PERTE for the tourism sector. She noted that it is a missed opportunity not to channel European funds into tourism through one of these plans during the XII Exceltur Forum in Madrid, held ahead of Fitur. PERTE stands for a public-private cooperation mechanism created by the Spanish government in 2020 to back strategic projects, aiming to spur job creation and boost the competitiveness of the national economy.
Riu emphasized that although some areas experience overcrowding, any decision to limit visitor numbers must be clearly explained to the public. She argued that citizens deserve a thorough understanding of the economic implications if tourism were reduced and even proposed a referendum to gauge public opinion on Spain’s tourism model.
José Luis Zoreda, vice president of Exceltur, highlighted overcrowding in several cities and called for renewed support from authorities and industry to refresh the sector�s image. He acknowledged room for improvement and urged platforms to ensure compliance with applicable laws, warning that noncompliant departments should not be promoted on tourism websites.
Fitur 2024 focused on sustainability
The Fitur fair is expected to attract about 150,000 industry professionals this year, a figure that matches the 2020 edition, with an additional 100,000 members of the general public visiting over the weekend. The event will bring together roughly 8,500 participants from all autonomous communities, along with companies and destinations from 152 countries. Officials estimate that Fitur will stimulate Madrid’s economy, with 806 exhibitors showcasing their offers across 9 pavilions. Ninety pavilions will feature official international representation, surpassing the 2023 edition, and the event is forecast to generate a€430 million across sectors such as transport, hospitality, dining, retail, entertainment, and culture.
Fitur’s Ecuadorian partner for 2024 will be Ecuador itself, serving as the ‘Fitur 2024 Partner Country.’ The country’s presentation will highlight its geographical and cultural diversity and strong air links to Spain. The country’s stand in Pavilion 3 will showcase its natural and cultural wealth and invite visitors to explore through the ‘Time to Reset in Ecuador’ campaign.
In light of recent security concerns affecting Ecuador, authorities issued a calm guidance message encouraging travelers to keep their plans intact. The message aimed to reassure visitors that itineraries could proceed as expected while acknowledging the ongoing situation in some areas. The announcement underscores a careful balance between inviting tourism and maintaining traveler safety.
On Wednesday, Fitur will host Ecuador�s president, Daniel Noboa, marking his first overseas trip since taking office amid regional tensions. After the opening ceremonies, Noboa is expected to meet with King Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional tourism initiatives.